{"id":3324,"date":"2021-02-01T06:34:06","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T06:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetinyphant.com\/?p=3324"},"modified":"2021-06-21T05:40:59","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T05:40:59","slug":"animals-with-no-natural-predators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetinyphant.com\/animals-with-no-natural-predators\/","title":{"rendered":"18 Animals With No Natural Predators"},"content":{"rendered":"
Imagine a pyramid. The pyramid is quite similar to a food chain. Now imagine being at the apex of the pyramid. Obviously only a pharaoh could be there, right? It’s the same in the food chain. The animals at the apex of the food pyramid are the ones that have dominant control over the food chain in its ecosystem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Often referred to as an apex or alpha predators, animals that have no natural predators<\/b> and those who usually prey on their own to survive in the wild are the ones that stay at the top of the food chain or pyramid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Below is a list of 18 animals without natural predators that dominate positions at the apex of the food pyramid either underwater or on land or both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A lion is an Alpha Predator who has no natural predators since it is on top of the food chain. These ruthless animals can hunt and kill almost every animal in the Jungle.\u00a0<\/span>They usually feed on medium-sized animals like wildebeests, zebras, giraffe and antelope.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lions have a huge well-muscled body, weighing 350-420 lbs, with a large head and their mane gives them a majestic look. Their short coat is found in different colours like buff-yellow, orange-brown, and silvery grey to dark brown. <\/span>Colourful, you say!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Except for the tropical rainforests and deserts, the lions can live in most habitats, but they prefer grasslands, open scrub, savanna and open woodland, where they can easily find food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A Lion when in the wild lives for 10-14 years, which is their maximum age span since they are not hunted by other animals.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tiger, the largest Carnivore in the ecosystem, sits on top of the food chain, except human beings; they don’t have any natural predators, and they control the population of natural prey including deer, pig, cow, horse, buffalo and goat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The tigers have a well proportioned muscular body with strong and powerful forelimbs, a large head and a long tail. In general, a healthy Tiger weighs around 650 pounds and their base coat is found in three main colours – standard orange, white and golden, with black or cinnamon stripes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rainforests, grasslands, mangrove swamps, rocky areas and grasslands are some of the diverse habitats where Tigers live; they usually look for places close to the water and equip with vegetation for ease of hunting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A tiger lives for a period of 10-15 years in the wild.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Snow Leopards maintain a balance in the ecosystem by preying on overpopulated natural prey like marmots. Hence they are on top of the food chain with no natural predators except humans who are their sole predators.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They can kill animals who are three times heavier than them, and they usually feed on blue sheep, argali, deer, horse and camel. Snow Leopards are adapted to live in cold and high elevation places where they inhabit large areas. These majestic yet mesmerising animals can be spotted in northern and central Asia’s high mountains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Their grey and white fur with spots on the head resembles snow and rocks in their environment. Snow leopards come with muscular, stocky limbs with short legs, donning a thin yet fur-laden long tail. They weigh around 55-165 lbs, and their average lifespan is 10-12 years.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The largest cat species in the New World, Jaguar is amongst the apex predators who play a significant role in stabilising ecosystems, and they are not preyed upon by other animals in the wild.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They have the freedom to prey on any animal, but they usually feed on deer, tortoises, iguanas, armadillos, fish, birds and monkeys. Jaguars generally avoid open forests and grasslands, which is why they inhabit tropical forests, lowland river valleys, swamps and coastal mangroves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jaguars have a compact and stocky body, with a broad head and strong jaws. They weigh about 123-212 lbs. Their coat colour is available in different colours like tawny yellow, reddish-brown, black, and white with spots which serve as good camouflage to them. In the wild a Jaguar has a lifespan of 12-15 years.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cougars are also apex predators, and although they don’t really have any natural enemies, they sometimes compete with other predators like bears and wolves for food. They usually prey on deer, bighorn sheep, elk, rabbits, hare, wild pigs. They also feed on small animals like bobcats, beavers, raccoons and skunks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cougars have high adaptability, and they can live in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, dry brush country, coastal swamps, rocky cliffs and mountain ranges; they prefer places with adequate cover and prey.<\/span><\/p>\n After Jaguar, Cougars are the second largest cat in the New World with a round-shaped head accompanied by erect ears. The powerful jaws help them to grasp and hold large prey easily. Their muzzle and chest are white, their coat colour varies from great to reddish-tan, and they have a long tail which is about 1m long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A healthy Cougar weighs around 100-220 lbs, and their average lifespan is 8-13 years.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Gray Wolves play a significant role in a healthy, thriving ecosystem. They prey on a variety of animals from deer, elk, bison, moose, to small animals like beavers, rodents and hares.<\/span><\/p>\n Gray Wolves look similar to a large German Shepherd (but you don’t want to pet them., for sure) with large canine teeth, and powerful jaws. They have thick fur coats with a long bushy tail which is often black-tipped, and they weigh about 70-145 lbs on an average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They are one of the most wide-ranging land animals, occupying a huge variety of habitats including arctic tundra, woodlands, prairie and arid landscapes. In the wild, their average lifespan is 6-8 years.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\nLion<\/h1>\n
Tiger<\/h1>\n
Snow Leopard<\/h1>\n
Jaguar<\/h1>\n
Cougar<\/h1>\n
Gray Wolf<\/h1>\n
Dhole<\/h1>\n